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Take it From Me is a TODAY.com series where experts use their wisdom to explain trends or make recommendations within their fields. In this latest installment, “Love Island USA” superfans share their top reality shows that will have viewers hooked all summer long.
“Love Island USA” has officially come to an end, which means fans now have six-days worth of free time they need to fill.
Season 8 of the hit Peacock series wrapped July 12, with Bryce Alakai and Trinity Tatum being named the winners. But with that happy, romantic ending came the sad realization that it will be months until fans hear “I got a text,” watch contestants compete in a series of make out-filled challenges and witness intense recouplings.
Superfans Mike Gauyo (@blackboywrites), Adrianna (@adriannasmiles) and Kristi Cook (@spillsesh), who spent the last six weeks posting about the show on social media, racking up millions of views and likes, are also feeling the absence of “Love Island USA.”
So, they’ve shared with TODAY.com their recommendations on the next binge-worthy shows to keep reality television lovers busy the rest of the summer.
Read on for a list of specific shows and seasons that these superfans consider “must-see” television.
‘The Traitors’ Seasons 3 and 4
If you are looking for a show that has even more drama and a strategic element, then you might want to check out Peacock’s “The Traitors.”
The series brings together current reality television stars and legends, and places them in a Scottish castle. There, they compete as Faithfuls and Traitors. The Faithfuls must determine who among them are the Traitors, a group that secretly meets every night to plot their next murder. Every episode, a contestant is banished and must reveal their true identity. The series is packed with fun challenges and impressive game play, all culminating in a grand finale where one or multiple players win the cash prize.
Television writer and content creator Gauyo tells TODAY.com that “The Traitors” Season 4, which was released earlier this year, was his “all-time favorite” season of a reality television show.
“That season was must-see TV, especially the finale with Rob Rausch and Maura Higgins tête-à-tête for the prize money,” he says, referring to two stars of the “Love Island” franchise.
Content creator Adrianna agrees that “The Traitors” is one of the best reality television shows, highlighting Seasons 3 and 4 specifically. She described the series as her “favorite game of deception” thanks to a cast filled with “reality stars from all types of shows, from ‘Survivor’ to ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ to ‘Love Island.’”
“Think of ‘Clue’ meets ‘Knives Out’ meets ‘Show Me the Money,’” she continues. “It’s entertaining week after week because you never know who will be eliminated next.”
Those who already watched “The Traitors” have the civilian-only version to look forward to. Gauyo says he’ll be tuning in when “The Traitors: New Blood” premieres this fall on NBC on Sept. 17.
‘Big Brother’ Season 28
If you enjoy “Love Island USA” mostly because you get to see what the islanders are up to nearly every day (except hump day), then “Big Brother” might be the show for you.
The CBS staple kicked off its 28th season on July 9, introducing 14 new houseguests and three reality television icons. “Big Brother” airs three nights a week but fans can also watch all the alliances and backdoor plans form in real-time thanks to the show’s 24/7 live feeds. With the feeds, fans experience key moments, providing context that is sometimes missing from the show.
Gauyo recommends catching up on the current season since only a few episodes have aired.
Content creator Kristi Cook of Spill Sesh is a fan of the series, too. She notes the multiple episodes per week and the “addictive social dynamics and nonstop twists” of “Big Brother” will draw “Love Island USA” viewers in.
“The live feeds mean there’s almost always something to watch even when new episodes aren’t on,” she adds.
‘Love Island UK’ Seasons 12 and 13
If you are interested in checking out other versions of “Love Island,” you should start with the flagship UK series.
“For those who haven’t watched the UK version of Love Island, I highly recommend watching the last season that just aired. So good,” Gauyo praises.
Season 12, or “series” as they say across the pond, welcomed the first-ever American contestant to the UK version, which takes place at a villa in Mallorca, Spain. Toni Laites, the first bombshell of the season, was a server from Las Vegas who wasn’t afraid to ruffle feathers from the moment she arrived. The season also included many islanders who delivered captivating television, like Harry Cooksley, Shakira Khan and Helena Ford.
While the UK version is hosted by Maya Jama, it features comedian Iain Stirling as the narrator just like “Love Island USA.”
The current 13th season began June 1, the same week “Love Island USA” Season 8 premiered. However, the UK series runs for eight weeks, meaning the islanders are still in the villa.
Cook says she has already started Season 13 to fill the “Love Island USA” void.
“I couldn’t keep up with both it and Love Island USA at the same time, but now I finally have something to watch every day again,” she says.
‘Vanderpump Rules’ Seasons 1-7, and 9-10
If you want to take a break from reality competition shows but still want an unscripted series, “Vanderpump Rules” is a great option.
The show, which premiered on Bravo in 2013 and focuses on the staff at “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurants and bars, launched the career of “Love Island USA” host Ariana Madix.
Adrianna shares with TODAY.com that “Vanderpump Rules” is “one of my favorite reality shows ever.”
“If you ever wondered where ‘Love Island USA’ host Ariana Madix got her start, she joins the cast in Season 2,’” she says.
Adrianna acknowledges that the show hits some low points around Season 7.
“But come back for Season 9 to get context before heading straight into ‘Scandoval’ in Season 10,” she says, referencing the major fallout between Madix and ex Tom Sandoval.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
